Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Census will now be completed using existing NSA surveillance.

The United States Census Bureau recently announced the remainder of the 2020 Census will be completed using existing NSA surveillance infrastructure. During a live video announcement, a representative for the Federal Census Bureau stated that after this year’s positive trial progress, they will consider using this method for future Census recording since there is little reason to collect already-known data. It has been uncovered that data from the NSA has been used in the past to verify the authenticity of Census responses. Technology on their side, the remainder of the 2020 Decennial Census verifications will rely completely on NSA surveilled information.

This opportune change came after considering the risk of spreading COVID-19 through interactions between census takers and residents. In weighing personal privacy rights against the use of NSA surveillance data, it was determined that no in-person contact will possibly curb further spread of the virus; thus, the scale is tipped in favor of distancing from personal privacy rights.